Chapter 44: Unexpected Duties and a Shadowy Surprise

While Han Ruoyu had prioritized locating the `[Mind Collapse]` progenitor, another task also needed to be completed concurrently, as per her employer’s demands.

“Yes, that’s right. I need to request the recent records of sacrifices—no, not those from the research facilities.”

“Still compiling the statistics? Alright, I understand.”

Han Ruoyu ended the call. Her Assistant immediately looked at her with anticipation.

In response, the black-haired ‘loli’ simply shook her head.

“Unfortunately, it seems we’ll have to contact other organizations that might possess relevant records this time.”

Han Ruoyu let out an inexplicable sigh.

“The records at headquarters are currently undergoing reintegration, rendering them ‘unavailable for access’ at the moment.”

Just as expected, while Councillor Lu usually had no need for her, the moment he did, he would inevitably leave her scratching her head in frustration.

“Let’s go. First, we need to ascertain their current status.”

The progenitors appearing within the city, born from sacrificial calls, had an indeterminate strength, making their true power difficult to judge.

However, those active in the outskirts were easily identified, all of them hovering around Tier 4.

This was a rather awkward tier.

They typically wouldn’t draw much attention, yet they possessed the genuine ability to cause widespread destruction.

Han Ruoyu felt it was essential to personally investigate the specific locations.

“All in all, it seems I won’t be idle today.”

She let out a frustrated sigh: “Damn this overtime! All I want is an administrative leave right now.”

****

“Indeed, the moment I see Miss Qingyao’s daughter, my thoughts naturally drift to that other child,” Xu Yanqing remarked with a hint of emotion. Noticing Su Qingyao’s curious expression, she moved a little closer.

A faint blush graced her cheeks as she elaborated.

“Actually, Lin Xiaobai introduced her to me. She described a very unique and well-behaved child, dressed entirely in white, who left a deep impression on her…”

What Xu Yanqing described likely pertained to Su Muxue’s behavior during class, painting a picture of a quiet, obedient, and diligent student.

“Is that so?”

Su Qingyao narrowed her eyes. Though it was a secondhand account, the information conveyed was far from negligible.

With just a few brief sentences, Su Qingyao could roughly envision her daughter’s demeanor at school.

To her surprise, among Transcended individuals whose appearances were often optimized, Su Muxue’s unique pupils weren’t perceived as a flaw but rather a distinctive ‘feature’.

It was only then that Su Qingyao recalled her own appearance when in her spirit armor.

Her pupils, too, seemed to lose their focus, yet this had never drawn the attention of Xu Yiyi or Xu Yanqing.

Considering this, could it be that…

The simplest solution to Su Muxue’s school problems was actually to change her environment?

Su Qingyao couldn’t help but smile.

“Alright, let’s discuss serious matters now.”

“Good,” Xu Yanqing agreed without further hesitation, calling over Xu Yiyi, who was still tirelessly casting spells in the warehouse.

“From what I can tell, Ms. Xu Yiyi and Miss Su Qingyao now possess abilities sufficient to serve as deputy leaders.”

Starting with what amounted to a summary, Xu Yanqing glanced at their expressions.

Xu Yiyi seemed to be struggling with the honorific ‘Ms.’, looking rather indignant.

Su Qingyao, as always, concealed all her thoughts behind her smile.

Or rather, this highly infectious and deceptive smile *was* her true ‘poker face’.

“Although it has been repeated many times, I still find it necessary to review our operational guidelines once more.”

“We are leading nineteen young magical girls, still between the ages of twelve and fifteen. While the ultimate goal of their training is to give them a firsthand experience with danger, remember this—”

“Experiencing danger does not equate to embracing it.”

Xu Yanqing’s expression grew progressively solemn, prompting Xu Yiyi and Su Qingyao to also compose themselves.

“We will actively draw out magical beasts estimated to be Tier 3 or 4. I will serve as the primary attacker, Miss Su Qingyao will provide support, and Xu Yiyi will focus on protecting the reserves.”

“Should a Tier 5 magical beast appear, immediately activate the beacon and call for support from the Iron Vow Army and the City Defense Army. The mission will shift from annihilation to containment, and Miss Su Qingyao, please join the containment efforts at that time.”

“No problem,” Su Qingyao affirmed with a nod.

“Xu Yiyi, your task is to conceal your ‘Barrier’ magic. Unless there’s an unforeseen attack, you are to use `[Dispel]` for protection, just like Miss Su Qingyao.”

“We have rehearsed it many times,” Xu Yiyi’s response was firm and resounding.

“No matter what… we must protect the children.”

Xu Yanqing murmured in a voice barely audible to herself, “Consider it… for Xiaobai.”

****

After returning home, Lu Zhichuan escorted Su Muxue to her apartment. He offered only a couple of brief instructions before hurrying back to his own residence.

It seemed Uncle Lu had matters of his own to attend to.

With a sigh of resignation, Su Muxue decided to find something to occupy herself and pass the boring time.

However, a small interruption broke her leisurely activity.

“Ding-dong.”

The doorbell chimed from the entryway.

Sitting in the living room with Booboo tucked under one arm and a textbook spread across her lap, Su Muxue curiously lifted her head.

Booboo’s timely prompt chimed in.

“The scent is very much like your friend’s.”

“Is it little Jiuli?” Su Muxue looked down to ask, receiving an affirmative reply from Booboo.

Without another thought, Su Muxue straightened her small feet, which had been playfully kicking the sofa leg, and gracefully rose to her feet.

“Coming!”

Though the girl’s voice was delicate, unlikely to carry beyond the door, Su Muxue still delighted in mimicking Su Qingyao’s actions.

With practiced ease, she opened the door.

Yet, what stood outside the door was not a ‘human-shaped’ entity.

The moment Su Muxue pulled the door open a crack, countless formless, pitch-black tentacles burst into the apartment, spreading explosively like water from a ruptured balloon.

They were shadows, `[Materialized]` into physical form.

Confronted with the sudden ‘attack,’ Su Muxue merely took a calm half-step back.

Without even summoning her spirit armor, she simply extended a hand and reached into the writhing shadows.

“Eek!”

A startled cry emerged from within the shadows, and a small figure was unceremoniously pulled out.

With black hair and black eyes, the small, adorable face was a picture of tension and fright.

“Jiuli, why have you transformed into this state again?” Su Muxue asked unhurriedly, not forgetting to smooth down the disheveled hair on Jiang Jiuli’s head.

However, in response to Su Muxue’s question, Jiang Jiuli only whimpered, burying herself into Su Muxue’s embrace.

“It’s so scary, boohoohoo.”

“Oh, alright, alright. Your tears are getting on my clothes.”

Su Muxue’s comfort was perfunctory.

She even seemed a little disgusted.